User Reviews

We went to the Student Prince for Maifest (May Day) so they had a slightly different menu. The atmosphere and decor is great, hand painted beer signs and vintage brewery posters as well as the owner's stein collection. Besides the ever present German beer they had a couple of local IPAs. Otter Creek Backseat Berner and Wormtown Be Hoppy. At the table the kids had the house made Mac n' Cheese, which was awesome, we also had Mustard Glazed Salmon, Prime Rib, Jaeger Schnitzel and the Wurstplatte. All the dishes were fantastic, the only complaint would be that the salmon ended up being a tail portion but that just comes down to timing when ordering. Great place, highly recommend it.

Went here for my 23rd birthday, hadn't been and have always heard good things about this place.

Atmosphere is very unique. Tons of German decor and steins decorate the entire bar and dining room. The dining room itself was very illuminated and it really had a cool feel because of that. Quality of the beer was nice, served in mugs for the most part. Food quality was also good. Service was good, fast and had a down to earth feel, an older waitress who was very nice. Selection of beer isn't exactly a craft beer lover's dream but solid, German-style selection, it goes well with the food. Food selection is big and covers all bases, lots of great sounding meat dishes. I had a German platter, which had superb pork chops, sausage and good Ghoulash. Prices were above average but worth the extra few dollars for a unique experience that I can't imagine finding anywhere else.

This is a first class spot. When was the last time you were in a bar without a cobra head? All the mixers are in small bottles and all the bartenders wear a tie and apron. That said about the mixers the German beer is exquisite here. The selection is not extensive but I don't know of anywhere else in the region where you can get a choice of good, fresh German beer. Spaten is the featured brand and there was basic pils, wheat beer, Oktoberfest and Optimator bock beer on tap. If you are looking for head-banging West Coast Imperial IPA this is not the place. The Oktoberfest was just wonderful and proudly served in 1/2 litre mugs. The food is delicious. It's a German restaurant so many of the entrees are in that genre. There are some standard American dishes as well as New England seafood specials. You can pay into the $20s but there are a number of excellent choices in the $8-$10 range that make a substantial luncheon. The staff is friendly and efficient. The Prince is a really good venue for some quality German beer and chow served in a very inviting setting.

This place is only a mile or so from the basketball Hall of Fame. We are from out of town, had no real problems finding it. Free street parking on the weekends. It is right off of Rt 91 as well.

From the outside, this establishment doesn't look like much. Inside, though, it is like walking straight into old world Germany. The stained glass windows were very cool. Steins, steins and more steins. You could spend hours just gazing around at the artifacts all around.

There is a main dining area, a bar/dining area and a larger back bar area. In the back, hundreds of cork screws are hung within glass displays.

We sat in the middle bar room, which I found most charming. Antler chandeliers hung over a few tables. The booths were small, but had a dated, cozy feel to them.

Aside from Stella and a BBC offering, the tap beers were all German. Ten Penny was on the menu, but not available at the time. Nothing too unique in the beers, Spaten and their Oktoberfest, Franzinkaner, Hackers Pforr and a few others. A small bottle list, which included Bud Lite. Good wine menu, though, with a nice selection of Reislings and other German wines (as well as your routine reds, whites, etc)

The menu was not massive, at least the lunch menu. The German dishes were still pretty expensive at lunch. I had chicken salad, a moderate portion and a really delicious side of German potato salad.

Worth seeking out. If nothing else, for a beer and to check our the interior.

My father-in-law took me and the misses to this restaurant awhile ago for lunch. Right in downtown, we luckily found a parking space right near the restaurant. I was amazed by its architectural structure and atmosphere. Definitely living up to its German-culture look, it was enjoyable seeing all the steins plastered everywhere. As for the combination of food and beer menu, I did like its imports but I did not sample any beer for the lunch in consideration for my father-in-laws wallet. Food was pretty good though; we shared an appetizer of Fried Cheese (which I guess is not advertised on the menu). I had the Farmer's Omelete (Hoppel Poppel) which was wicked good. For lunch time on the weekend, I thought the place was well-staffed for not too much of a busy time. The prices seemed okay. I seldom go to Springfield to eat so I am not sure what restaurant prices are like. For a big city, ethnic-specialty restaurant I thought they were appropriate. I know Springfield can be thought as dumpy or even dangerous, and we were right downtown no less, but this was a high quality place. So I would say they were pretty reasonable. Overall, this place is worth checking out.

I rarely travel to Springfield, however, I thought friday would be the perfect time to do so given my trip to Town and Country liquors in nearby West Springfield. Though I had Google Map directions, the place was a nightmare to find since Springfield apparently doesn't feel street signage off of I-91 is necessary. Springfield itself is in a sorry state of decline with vacant storefronts everywhere and filthy streets that were like washboards to travel on to put it mildly. Given my experience at the Student Prince/The Fort, it was still worth the trip. Once I was able to finally track it down my frustration was alleviated. The original bar area has massively high ceilings and is decorated like a Bavarian cafe. Dark wood is everywhere as is a sizeable collection of spectacular beer steins, some of which are behind glass. Large painted plates with Medieval era scenes are interspersed amongst the steins. There were also beautiful ceramic drinking cups and smaller steins with hinged covers along the shelves. The bar seats 9 and was full when I arrived, however, I was able to sit at one of the a long, narrow, rough hewn tables immediately behind the bar patrons. Each bench was apholsterd in red naugahide. The bar had a traditional brass kick plate which was also tacked along the floor and a foot bar running along it. Two framed stained glass windows hung in front of obscured glass. Also a large rack of moose antlers hung high overhead. A very special setting to enjoy some good German beer and food. I tried the Dinkelaker Dark in a 1/2 liter stein. The bartender later told me this was the first keg they'd had for some time. Rather light for a dark pilsner, but enjoyable nonetheless. I ordered a sirloin sandwich...not exactly German, but tasty anyway. A "sirloin sandwich" is a hamburger, though I didn't make that connection until is was delivered to me. Decent potatoey french fries and a pickle came with it. I noted six taps which included Dink Pils, Fanziskaner Weissbier, Spaten Dark and Light and Becks. I ordered a Spaten Dark served in a dimpled 1/2 liter stein. I love the maltiness of this brew and consider it a special occassion when it can be had on tap. The waitress was in her mid 60's but chipper and keenly interested in my beer selection since she was undecided about the Dink Dark or Spaten Dark she was to order for herself. Very cool. This was my first visit to Student Prince in over 15 years. I look forward to visiting again, but this time for an all out dinner and beers with friends and family. Aside from the state of affairs in Sprigfield, this is a must visit for the German beer fan.

I really enjoy eating at this restaurant. The food is great! This is a very popular Springfield landmark that has a lot of history. Authentic German beer Stines line the walls and there are great examples of German and European plates and different trinkets. The Student Prince cafe which is connected to the restaurant is a nice little bar to the right when you enter. They have pretty much any Spartan brew you can think of and a lot of others like Dinklebock and some others on tap. Usually have some seasonal brews on tap as well. Maibock in the spring, Oktoberfest and so on. The walls are adorned with old cork screws and different devices concocted to open wine bottles. Some nice flat screens for a game or two. The Fort has some of the best German food I have ever had. Lots of traditional style foods. If it is the right time of the year try the Spetzel (sp?). It is a potato pasta I believe. If you like Veal the Veal shank is to die for. Great portions but some items can get a bit pricey. Oysters Rupert are great appetizer along with the fried cheese with the beaver honey mustard. The house salad dressing is great too. This place usually has an older crowd but everyone is really nice. I enjoy the atmosphere and the great food and drink. You will be surprised by the size of this place. It looks like a hole in the wall but inside is a maze of different dinning rooms. I would recommend trying this place if you have never been before. I give this one two thumbs up.

This is a Springfield landmark but strangly still unknown to many. When you step inside the door you will be greeted warmly and asked if you would like a table or just go to the bar. The place is filled with beer steins worth thousands of dollars this alone is impressive. This place if you haven't figured it out by now as you enter is a German restaurant . The menu is easy to read and has many popular german favorites. The beer is very good here I do wish that a beer menu was available but is not . However all you need to do is ask the staff what is available and they are willing to help out.